ˈkäpyələ noun
( plural copulas -ləz ; also copu·lae -ˌlē)
Etymology: Latin, bond — more at couple
1. : something that connects : link: as
a. : the connecting link or relation between the subject and predicate of a strictly formulated proposition ; especially : such a link when it is a form of the verb to be (as in “he is a shoemaker” instead of “he makes shoes”) — see be , predicable
b. : a linguistic form that links a subject with its predicate and sometimes has some additional meaning of its own (as looks in “that looks good,” got in “he got sleepy”) and sometimes not (as is in “that is right”)
c. : any of certain connecting structures ; specifically : a basibranchial or basihyal bone or cartilage
2. : sexual union : copulation — used chiefly in law
3. : coupler 1c
4. : a descant having a florid cadential passage usually in the plainsong tenor
5. obsolete : a chemical compound that joins itself to another